The death of Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013, has had far-reaching consequences for the Roman Catholic Church. Benedict’s resignation, the first by a pope in almost 600 years, has relieved his more liberal successor, Pope Francis, of a periodic source of irritation. Despite living just a few hundred yards away from Francis in the Vatican gardens, Benedict continued to make his beliefs known through sermons, letters, interviews, and other texts. This occasionally put him at odds with Francis, such as when he defended priestly celibacy just as Francis seemed to be considering easing the ban on married priests.
Benedict’s passing has also made it possible for his successor to resign in turn. While Francis has shown no sign of wanting to resign, he did sign a resignation letter, indicating that he may consider stepping down at some point. This is significant because having two living popes was already viewed as unfortunate, and having three would be unthinkable.
Benedict’s death has drawn large crowds of visitors to pay their respects before his funeral. Many of these visitors were tourists drawn to the unique occasion, while others were religious admirers who saw Benedict as representing a reawakening of the conscience of the modern, Western world. Vatican officials were reportedly surprised by the size of the crowds, with visitors having to wait in line for several hours.
Overall, the death of Pope Benedict XVI has relieved Pope Francis of a periodic source of irritation and has made it possible for his successor to resign in the future. Benedict’s continued expression of his beliefs occasionally put him at odds with Francis, which led to controversy and questions about the validity of Francis’s papacy. However, Benedict’s passing has also drawn large crowds of visitors who came to pay their respects and reflect on his legacy as a symbol of traditional values.
